reef
2- a part of a sail that is rolled and tied down to reduce the area exposed to the wind.
- to shorten (sail) by tying in one or more reefs.
- to reduce the length of (a topmast, a bowsprit, etc.), as by lowering, sliding inboard, or the like.
- to pull (old oakum) out of seams, as with a rave hook (often followed by out).
Origin of reef
2Related Words for reefing
decelerate, hinder, retard, moderate, slacken, relax, lessen, lag, reduce, stall, decrease, abate, curb, diminish, impede, curtail, temper, handicap, mire, chokeExamples from the Web for reefing
Historical Examples of reefing
In reefing top-sails, the cry when the weather earing is passed.
The Sailor's Word-BookWilliam Henry Smyth
The order to come in from the yards when reefing, furling, or other duty is performed.
The Sailor's Word-BookWilliam Henry Smyth
The order for men to come in from the yards after reefing or furling.
The Sailor's Word-BookWilliam Henry Smyth
Archy had several times been aloft, but had never assisted in reefing.
Archibald HughsonW.H.G. Kingston
Do you intend to spend the remainder of the watch in reefing that topsail?
The Rover's SecretHarry Collingwood
reef
1- a ridge of rock, sand, coral, etc, the top of which lies close to the surface of the sea
- a ridge- or mound-like structure built by sedentary calcareous organisms (esp corals) and consisting mainly of their remains
- a vein of ore, esp one of gold-bearing quartz
Word Origin for reef
reef
2- the part gathered in when sail area is reduced, as in a high wind
- to reduce the area of (sail) by taking in a reef
- (tr) to shorten or bring inboard (a spar)
Word Origin for reef
Reef
- another name for the Great Barrier Reef
- another name for the Witwatersrand
Word Origin and History for reefing
reef
1660s, "take in, roll up" (as a sail on a ship), from reef (n.2). Related: Reefed; reefing.
reef
"rock ridge underwater," 1580s, riffe, probably via Dutch riffe, from a Scandinavian source, cf. Old Norse rif "ridge in the sea; reef in a sail," literally "rib" (see rib (n.)).
reef
"horizontal section of sail," late 14c. (mid-14c. in rif-rope), from a Scandinavian source, cf. Old Norse rif "reef of a sail," probably a transferred use of rif "ridge under the sea; rib" (see rib (n.) and cf. reef (n.1)). German reff, Swedish ref, Norwegian riv, Danish reb likely all are from the Old Norse word.
reefing
(rē′fĭng)- Surgical reduction of the extent of a tissue by folding it and securing with sutures.
reef
- A strip or ridge of rocks, sand, or coral that rises to or near the surface of a body of water. See more at coral reef.